Spinach, Provolone, and Pepperoni Calzone

In last week's Pizza Lab, I promised a calzone recipe. Well, here it is!

Note: You can make this calzone with store-bought dough if you'd like, or use this recipe, which is an adaptation of my NY-style dough. If you don't have much experience working with calzones, you might find it much easier to transfer the calzones to the peel and the stone if you build them directly on a sheet of parchment paper. Transfer them, parchment and all, to the peel and then to the stone in the oven.

Transfer dough ball to lightly floured surface and knead once or twice by hand until smooth ball is formed. Divide dough into 2 even parts and place each in a covered quart-sized deli container or in a zipper-lock freezer bag. Place in refrigerator and allow to rise at least one day, and up to 5.

3

At least two hours before baking, remove dough from refrigerator and shape into balls by gathering dough towards bottom and pinching shut. Flour well and place each one in a separate medium mixing bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and allow to rise at warm room temperature until roughly doubled in volume.

4

Meanwhile, place spinach in microwave-safe bowl and cover with large plate. Microwave on high heat until wilted, about 1 minute. Transfer spinach to a triple layer of paper towels and roll tightly. Press to remove excess moisture. Roughly chop spinach and transfer back to bowl. Add provolone, pepperoni, parmesan, and remaining olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper and toss to combine.

5

1 hour before baking, adjust oven rack with pizza stone to upper-middle position and preheat oven to 500°F.

6

When ready to bake, turn single dough ball out onto lightly flour surface. Gently flatten ball with fingers. Using a flour rolling pin, roll into a circle 10 to 12 inches in diameter. Repeat with remaining dough ball. Working quickly, divide between dough discs, spreading it over half of each one. Fold the dough over and fold and crease the edges to seal.